U.S. patent number 4,322,609 [Application Number 06/124,867] was granted by the patent office on 1982-03-30 for pedometer assembly.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Yamasa Tokei Meter Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Yasuji Kato.
United States Patent |
4,322,609 |
Kato |
March 30, 1982 |
Pedometer assembly
Abstract
A pedometer assembly comprises a base disc, pendulum adapted to
swing at every step and a display panel. This display panel is
rotatably in response to swinging movement of the pendulum and is
provided at its periphery with a cylindrical wall. The wall is
scored or provided on its outer surface with graduation for
indicating the number of repetitions. The surface of the display
panel is provided with a proportional diagram adapted for use in
the determination of the relation between the number of
repetitions, the distance which has been run, and the amount of
calories consumed.
Inventors: |
Kato; Yasuji (Tokyo,
JP) |
Assignee: |
Yamasa Tokei Meter Co., Ltd.
(Tokyo, JP)
|
Family
ID: |
11537823 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/124,867 |
Filed: |
February 26, 1980 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
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|
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Jan 14, 1980 [JP] |
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55-2743[U] |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
235/105; 235/1D;
377/24; 377/24.2; D10/70 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01C
22/006 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G01C
22/00 (20060101); G01C 022/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;235/105,78R,89R,118,1C,119,91H,95C,92DN,10 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Hix; L. T.
Assistant Examiner: Fuller; Benjamin R.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Cantor and Singer
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A pedometer assembly adapted for use in various types of
exercises such as jogging, marathon, rope skipping or the like,
comprising a base disc, a pendulum adapted to swing about an axis
parallel to the axis of the disc at every step, a circular display
panel which is mounted coaxially with said disc and rotatable in
response to swinging movement of said pendulum and which is
provided at its periphery with a cylindrical wall, said wall being
provided or scored on its outer surface with graduations for
indicating the number of repetitions, a proportional diagram
provided on the surface of said panel and adapted to indicate the
relation between the number of repetitions and the amount of
exercises corresponding thereto, a casing for accommodating therein
the aforesaid parts, a viewing window formed for said graduations
in the upper portion of said casing, a second viewing window
provided for said proportional diagram in front of said casing and
a reference line provided for said diagram on said second viewing
window.
2. The pedometer assembly as recited in claim 1, in which said
proportional diagram shows the relation between the number of
repetitions and the distance which has been run.
3. The pedometer assembly as recited in claim 1, in which said
proportional diagram shows the relation between the number of
repetitions and the amount of calories consumed.
4. The pedometer assembly as recited in claim 1, in which said
proportional diagram shows the relation between the distance and
the amount of calories consumed.
5. The pedometer assembly as recited in claim 1, further comprising
a shaft mounted on said disc, said pendulum being rotatably mounted
thereon, a ratchet wheel and a drive gear operably associated
therewith and both rotatably mounted on said shaft, a ratchet
operably associated with said pendulum and engaging said ratchet
wheel to incrementally drive the same in response to the pendulum
swing, an intermediate gear driven by said drive gear, and a driven
gear driven by said intermediate gear, said driven gear being
operably connected to said display panel, thereby causing said
display panel to incrementally rotate with each swing of the
pendulum.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a pedometer assembly adapted for
use in various types of exercises, say, jogging, walking,
heel-and-toe walking, marathon, rope skipping or the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Thus, a main object of the present invention is to provide a
pedometer assembly which permits easy reading of the number of
repetitions, e.g., the number of steps in jogging, walking,
marathon or heel-and-toe walking or the number of skips in rope
skipping, and the amount of exercises corresponding to said number,
e.g., the distance which has been run and the amount of calories
consumed.
According to the present invention, there is provided a pedometer
assembly comprising a display panel rotatable in response to
swinging movement of a pendulum, a cylindrical wall provided at the
periphery of said panel, said wall being provided or scored on its
outer surface with graduations for indicating the number of
repetitions, a proportional diagram provided on the surface of said
panel and adapted to indicate the relation between the number of
repetitions and the amount of exercises corresponding thereto, a
casing for accommodating therein the aforementioned parts, a
viewing window for said graduations and a reference line which are
provided on the upper part of said casing, and a viewing window for
said proportional diagram and a reference line, graduations and
figures for indicating the distance which has been run and/or the
amount of calories consumed, which are provided in front of said
casing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will now be elucidated with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a front view of the exterior of a first embodiment of the
pedometer assembly according to the present invention,
FIG. 2 is a side view of the same and
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the same;
FIG. 4 is a front view of the interior of the first embodiment;
FIG. 5 is a front view of the display panel forming part of the
first embodiment,
FIG. 6 is a plan view of the same and
FIG. 7 is a cut away plan view of the same. A member 14 for
supporting shaft 21 is mounted over notch 12.
FIG. 8 is a proportional diagram showing the relation between the
number of steps and the distance;
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the same relation by curves;
FIG. 10 is a front view of the exterior of a second embodiment of
the pedometer assembly according to the present invention;
FIG. 11 is a proportional diagram for the second embodiment,
showing the relation between the number of repetitions and the
amount of calories consumed;
FIG. 12 is a front view of a third embodiment of the pedometer
assembly according to the present invention; and
FIG. 13 is a proportional diagram for the third embodiment, showing
the relation between the number of repetitions, the amount of
calories consumed and the distance.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 9, there is shown a first embodiment of
the pedometer assemblies according to the present invention, said
embodiment being adapted to display the number of steps and the
distance which has been run. More specifically, FIG. 1 is a front
view of the exterior of the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a side view
of the same and FIG. 3 is a plan view of the same; FIG. 4 is a
front view of the interior of the first embodiment; FIG. 5 is a
front view of the display panel forming part of the first
embodiment, FIG. 6 is a plan view of the same and FIG. 7 is a cut
away plan view of the same. In these figures, reference numeral 1
stands for a base disc; 2 for a pendulum adapted to swing at every
step, 3 for a display panel; 4 for graduations for indicating the
number of steps and the distance, which are provided on the
periphery of said panel; 5 for a proportional diagram showing the
relation between the number of steps and the distance, which is
provided in front of said panel; 6 for a casing for accommodating
therein the aforesaid parts; 7 for a viewing window formed for said
graduations in the upper portion of casing 6; 8 for a viewing
window formed for said proportional diagram in front of casing 6;
and 9 for a reference line provided for said diagram on viewing
window 8.
The foregoing parts are constructed in the following manner. The
base plate 1 is provided on its periphery with a plurality of
supports 11 for supporting the same on casing 6, a notch 12 through
which the shaft 21 of pendulum 2 passes and a notch 13 in which a
weight 22 of pendulum 2 is movable. A member 14 for supporting
shaft 21 is mounted over notch 12.
The base plate 1 is further supportably provided on its one side
with a round plate 15 through a gap by means of a coupling member
16. The shaft 21 passing through notch 12 is set between round
plate 15 and shaft-supporting member 14. On the shaft are rotatably
supported the base of pendulum 2, a ratchet wheel 17 and a gear 18
in operable association therewith. The ratchet wheel 17 is then
kept in engagement with a ratchet 23 extending from pendulum 2 and
a check ratchet 24 extending from base disc 1. The ratchet 23 is
designed such that, when pendulum 2 moves downwardly (in FIG. 4) at
every step in jogging, walking, marathon or heel-and-toe walking,
it forcedly turns ratchet wheel 17, and the check ratchet 24 is
designed to prevent reversion of ratchet wheel 17. It should be
noted that the weight 22 has a shock absorber 25 formed of e.g.,
rubber.
The display panel 3 comprises a circular flat plate 31 and a
peripheral wall 32 in the cylindrical form, which defines together
a space to accommodate therein round plate 15, weight 22 and the
like. The wall 32 is provided on its outer surface with graduations
4 for indicating the number of repetitions, i.e., the number of
steps, and the flat plate 31 is provided on its surface with a
proportional diagram 5 showing the relation between the number of
steps and the distance. The thus assembled panel 3 is rotatably
supported at its center on a shaft 33.
The shaft 33 passing through the centers of base plate 1 and round
plate 15 supports the panel 3 in front of round plate 15, and is
provided with a gear 19, which is driven through a gear unit 18a in
operable association with gear 18. This gear 19 permits rotation of
the panel 3 in integral relation to shaft 33. Thus, rotation of
ratchet wheel 17 effected by swinging movement of pendulum 2 causes
the panel 3 to turn in response to gear 18, gear unit 18a, gear 19
and shaft 33.
The proportional diagram 5 provided on display panel 3 for
indicating the relation between the number of steps and the
distance is shown in FIG. 9 which is derived from FIG. 8. The
procedure of FIG. 8 is as follows: take the number of steps on the
axis of abscissas and the distance corresponding thereto on the
axis of ordinates; then, determine points A, B, C and D
corresponding to strides of 150 cm, 120 cm, 90 cm and 60 cm,
respectively, on a vertical line extending from a point on the axis
of abscissas, which point corresponds to 10.times.10.sup.3 steps,
and draw lines OA, OB, OC and OD from point 10. Thus, a given point
on each of the resultant lines represents the amount of exercises,
say, the distance corresponding to the number of steps and stride
given. For example, intersections 10A, 10B, 10C and 10D of a
vertical line extending from point 10 with respect to the
above-mentioned lines represent the distances 15 km, 12 km, 9 km
and 6 km, respectively, necessary for 10.times.10.sup.3 steps.
FIG. 9 is obtained by rewriting these proportional lines given in
FIG. 8. The diagram of FIG. 9 is then provided on the surface of
display panel 3 with the central point 0' being in coincidence with
the center at which the display panel 3 is supported on shaft 33.
In order to permit easy discrimination of these curves ABO, BCO and
COD from one another, it is advantageous that they are formed of
display bands 51, 52 and 53, and that they are colored.
The viewing window 7 formed in the upper portion of the casing is
provided with a transparent plate, on which a reference line 71 is
scored for reading of graduations 4. The viewing window 8 in front
of the casing is also provided with a similar transparent plate, on
which is scored a reference line 9 having a similar relation to A,
B, C and D on the proportional diagram 5. This reference line is
formed with graduations 91 in kilometers and miles for indication
of the amount of exercises, say, the distance.
It should be noted that the casing 6 is provided on its back with a
clip 61 which is to be secured to the belt of an individual's
trousers.
When an individual carrying the thus constructed pedometer
participates in a marathon or takes exercises, for instance,
jogging, walking, heel-and toe walking or the like, the pendulum 2
swings at every step under the action of weight 22 so that the
counter mechanism operates automatically to display the number of
steps on viewing window 7 on the upper portion of the casing. The
distance can then be seen from reference line 9 and diagram 5 on
viewing window 8. In other words, the number of steps is indicated
on a point at which a corresponding graduation 4 is in agreement
with the reference line 71, whereas the distance is indicated on
the intersection of a corresponding curve on the diagrams with
reference line 9. For instance, the distance which an individual
has run with a stride of 90 cm can be read on a graduation 91
corresponding to the intersection of associated proportional line
OC with reference line 9. Alternatively, the distance which an
individual has ran with a stride of 105 cm can be read on a
graduation 91 corresponding to the intersection of the middle of
display band 52 with reference line 9.
Turning now to FIGS. 10 and 11, there is shown a second embodiment
of the pedometer assemblies according to the present invention.
This embodiment is adapted to indicate the number of repetitions,
e.g., the number of steps, skips or the like and the amount of
calories consumed corresponding thereto. FIG. 10 is a front view of
the exterior of the second embodiment, and FIG. 11 is a
proportional diagram showing the relation between the number of
repetitions and the amount of calories consumed.
The operation mechanism of this embodiment and the counter
mechanism for the number of repetitions, say, the number of steps
or skips which are displayed on the surface of a peripheral wall 32
of a display panel 3 are virtually the same as the first
embodiment, except that a proportional diagram 9 provided in front
of display panel 3. This diagram is shown in FIG. 11, which, for
use, is modified as shown in FIG. 9. The procedure of this diagram
is as follows: take the number of repetitions on the axis of
abscissas and the amount of calories consumed, which corresponds
thereto, on the axis of ordinates; then, determine points A, B, C
and D on a vertical line extending from a point on the axis of
abscissas corresponding to 20.times.10.sup.3 repetitions, said
points being equivalent to the amount of calories consumed in
dependence upon the age, sex and weight of an individual, the type
of exercises and the like, and draw lines OA, OB, OC and OD from
point O. Thus, a given point on each of the resultant lines
represents the amount of calories equivalent to the given number of
repetitions, as shown in FIG. 11. For instance, intersections 10A,
10B, 10C and 10D of a vertical line extending from point 10 with
respect to the above-mentioned lines represent the consumed
calories, 250 cal., 200 cal., 150 cal., and 100 ca., respectively.
These proportional lines are suitably modifies as shown in FIG. 9
to obtain the desired curves. The resultant diagram is provided on
the surface of display panel 3 with the center O' being in
coincidence with the center at which the display panel 3 is
supported on a shaft 33.
As shown in FIG. 10, a transparent plate provided on viewing window
8 in front of the casing is provided with a reference line 9 having
a similar relation to A to D on the diagram 5 showing the relation
between the number of repetitions and the amount of calories
consumed, which line is calibrated at 91 for indicating the amount
of calories consumed.
When an individual carrying the thus constructed pedometer takes
exercise, say, jogging, walking, rope skipping or the like, the
counter mechanism operates automatically in response to the
individual motion to display the number of repetitions on viewing
window 7 on the upper portion of the casing. The amount of calories
consumed can then been seen from reference line 9 and diagram 5 on
viewing window 8. In other words, the number of repetitions such as
the number as steps or skips is indicated on a point at which a
corresponding graduation 4 is in agreement with the reference line
71 on viewing window 7, whereas the amount of calories consumed is
indicated on the intersections of curves on the diagram 5 with
reference line 9. For instance, the amount of calories which an
individual with the amount of exercises being given by C has
consumed can be read on a graduation 91 corresponding to the
intersection of associated proportional line OC with respect to
reference line 9. Alternatively, the amount of calories which an
individual defined midway between B and C has consumed can be read
on a graduation 91 corresponding to the intersection of the middle
of display band 52 with reference line 9.
Referring now to FIGS. 12 and 13, there is shown a third embodiment
of the pedometer assemblies according to the present invention.
This embodiment provides a pedometer adapted to permit simultaneous
indication of the distance and the amount of calories consumed.
More specifically, FIG. 12 is a front view of the exterior of the
pedometer, and FIG. 13 is a proportional diagram showing the
relation between the number of repetitions, the amount of calories
consumed and the distance. The diagram 15 provided in front of a
display panel 3 is obtained from FIG. 13 modified as shown in FIG.
9. A combination of the proportional diagram of FIG. 8 with that of
FIG. 11 gives a proportional diagram as shown in FIG. 13. Since the
relation of the number of steps to the distance has a proportional
relation to that of the number of repetitions of the amount of
calories consumed. Such a proportional diagram represents the
distance or the amount of calories consumed corresponding to the
number of steps or the number of repetitions.
As illustrated in FIG. 12, a transparent plate provided in front of
the casing is provided with a reference line 9 having a similar
relation to A to D on the diagram 5 showing the relation between
the number of repetitions, the amount of calories consumed and the
distance, which line is calibrated at 91 for indicating the amount
of calories consumed and the distance in calorie and kilometer or
mile. Thus, this embodiment is more advantageous since both the
amount of calories consumed and the distance can be read on a
single unit.
From the foregoing, it will readily be understood that the present
invention is of great practical value since the distance which has
been run and the amount of energy consumed in jogging, walking,
marathon or the like exercise can immediately be seen in response
to the number of repetitions, e.g., the number of steps or
skips.
While the present invention has been described with reference to
the foregoing three embodiments; however, is should be understood
that the invention may be changed or modified without departing
from the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *